Football is a game of rules and regulations. NFL have always received criticism on its rules and restriction. It seems even more difficult when an NFL fan tries to explain the game to someone who never watched the game. It has always been said that the game is too difficult to understand which is why it doesn’t have the global reception, often argued that the sport is only popular in the USA.
It’s not just the fans who criticize NFL for tough rules, the players sometimes get frustrated because of the regulations they have to maintain. Las Vegas Raiders’ star defensive end Maxx Crosby recently had an interview in which he talked about the NFL rule that he don’t like.
Maxx Crosby Names The Rule That He Hates
Maxx Crosby is one of the NFL’s top defensive ends and a standout player for the Las Vegas Raiders. He is one of the league’s most productive pass rushers since entering the league. He ranks among the top defensive linemen in sacks, tackles for loss, quarterback hits, and pressures. He was drafted in the NFL in 2019 making 2026 his seventh year of his career. From his experience he has just talked about the one rule from the league that really bothers him.
Dec 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field after loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
In a recent interview, Crosby has talked about the NFL’s frustrating strict uniform and footwear policy. According to the rules of the NFL, players can generally only wear cleats in black, white, or their team’s official colors. Anything else with visible names, logos, or non-approved designs needs prior league approval. This contrasts sharply with the NBA, where players have far more freedom to wear creative, colorful, and personalized shoes.
Crosby argues that this rule is very unnecessary and stands in the way player’s freedom. “The shoe game. NBA does it right… Players get creative with how they want to be swagged out. In the NFL, you can’t even wear, like, any color that’s off the jersey, which is lowkey lame. … NFL shouldn’t be tripping, bro.” Maxx Crosby said.
Maxx Crosby wore custom pink rose-patterned Air Jordan 11 cleats during the Raiders’ 2025 Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles as a heartfelt personal tribute to his daughter, Ella Rose Crosby. “Jordan designed them pink with roses for my daughter. They made me take them off. So, I had to get a sack in them… NFL should just let us wear our own colors with our shoes. It’s not that hard, bro. And it ain’t hurting anybody.” He added.
He knew the cleats violated standard NFL color rules, but he wore them anyway, prepared to take a fine. Mid-game, league officials intervened, and the equipment staff brought his standard cleats to the sideline.
He is not alone to be frustrated on NFL for their rules. Former Eagles WR A.J. Brown had a similar issue in 2023 when he wore neon cleats so his daughter could spot him easier on the field. He also had to change and criticized the rule.
A.J. Brown’s Criticism of the NFL Cleat Rules
In September 2023, during a Monday Night Football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown wore bright neon green cleats with a matching mouth guard. This led to a very similar situation to what Maxx Crosby experienced. Brown chose the bold, non-team-color cleats so his young daughter could easily spot him on the TV screen during the game. It was a personal, family-oriented gesture just much like Crosby’s tribute to Ella Rose.
NFL officials noticed the violation of the footwear policy (cleats must be black, white, or team colors unless pre-approved). Brown was told to change or face a fine. He switched to standard cleats mid-game to avoid the penalty which was supposed to be around $7,000 for a first offense.
“That rule sucks. I really tried to bend the rules a little bit, but I think all players should just wear whatever they want to wear. They’re not going to be able to fine everybody in the league. So I think we should start that movement as players.” A.J. Brown said.
Both incidents involved star players trying to wear personalized cleats for their daughters, both were forced to change by league officials, and both publicly criticized the rule as lame and unnecessary. Both players have echoed that the rule is very unnecessary and stands in the way of player’s freedom. While NBA is flexible with the rule, NFL is strict making things uncomfortable for players which has been a common complain for for the NFL.
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